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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, looks on during the qualifying heats for the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, looks on during the qualifying heats for the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Chase Elliott might not have had the best 2021 season. Although, he made it to the very end to the round of four, with two wins under his belt. Unfortunately, his teammate, Kyle Larson, took the Cup Series title that season.
However, things might be a little different this season.
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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, waits in the garage area during practice for NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Alan Gustafson has been Chase Elliott‘s crew chief ever since his rookie season. And, of course, Gustafson won him the 2020 Cup Series Championship. Although Elliott didn’t win the Cup last year, he expects something stellar this time around.
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Alan highlighted the change in attitude he found in Elliott this season on the NASCAR America, Motor Mouths Podcast, as he saw him expand onto the leadership role.
He said, “To see it happen with more confidence and comfort in who he is. He’s a great person, great personality, super fun to be around and I think the more he shows that the better.”
Read More: WATCH: Chase Elliott Is Welcomed Home As He Visits The College Football Hall Of Fame
“I think you see that come off more and more with the self-confidence he has,” “To be that kind of guy you gotta race your weaknesses and all who you are and accept and I think he’s doing it,” he added.
It’s great to see Elliott progress further. But, do you think he will win the Cup Series this time around? Let us know in the comments below.
Chase Elliott Is Unhappy With His Performance In Road America
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The entire NASCAR community knows Elliott as the king of road courses. And Road America is no different. However, #9 didn’t have a great result.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, looks on during the qualifying heats for the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
In an interview with NASCAR.com, Elliott blames himself for the poor performance. He said, “When [Reddick] passed me, that was pretty much it,”. Though he did congratulate Tyler Reddick, “I did a poor job on my part. Congrats to him. I know they’ve been searching for that first win for some time.”
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Finally, Elliott had a great performance, but after his pace in practice and qualifying, everyone expected a win.
